The Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity, and Regional Integration has ordered the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to cancel contracts for 22 staff members, citing irregular hiring practices. The directive, issued on Monday, November 17, 2025, came after the committee found that the positions were never advertised, a violation of the law.
The decision followed a tense grilling session, during which NCIC officials faced tough questions over inconsistencies in their explanations. Contradictions emerged when the NCIC CEO and Human Resources department gave differing accounts of why the commission intended to hire 20 staff but ended up recruiting 22.
Committee Chair Senator Catherine Mumma described the hiring as unlawful, emphasizing that any deviation from the approved plan of 20 recruits must be supported by documented resolutions. She also warned the NCIC CEO against external influence, noting that he could be held personally liable if found culpable.
Following the session, the committee summoned NCIC commissioners to appear on Tuesday to explain how the irregular recruitment occurred and why conflicting statements were presented regarding the process.
The recruitment controversy overshadowed earlier discussions with the NCIC and Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), where senators sought clarity on measures being taken to curb hate speech. Inflammatory remarks by political leaders, particularly during rallies and church gatherings, were highlighted as a growing concern that could incite unrest.
KNCHR CEO Bernard Mogesa struggled to demonstrate tangible actions against politicians spreading hate speech, though he assured senators that both political leaders and ordinary citizens were being monitored. Lamu Senator Kamau Gituku pressed for more details on monitoring, regulation, and deterrence efforts. NCIC confirmed that investigations had been enhanced, more summons issued, and social media monitoring intensified since the 2022 General Election.
The Senate’s directive sends a clear message: integrity and compliance with recruitment laws are non-negotiable, and accountability extends to top-level officials within the commission.
